Toronto Festivals

No matter what time of the year you plan to visit, you'll find that Toronto offers excitement every month. From cultural festivals to concerts to sporting events, there's always something going on in Toronto. Many Toronto festivals offer everyone from the film buff to the outdoor type a myriad of possibilities to enjoy and discover.

Art of Jazz Celebration is held at Toronto's Distillery District in May. This annual celebration showcases jazz greats in intimate concert settings, Cuban and New Orleans Jazz, educational workshops, films and more. Beaches International Jazz Festival produces a festival that includes over 100 bands; a ten day event, with free admission.

Canada Blooms is the largest annual indoor flower and garden show in Canada. Featuring 6 acres of spectacular gardens, floral arrangements, horticultural displays, educational programs and a marketplace of garden related products.

Canadian Aboriginal Festival is Canada's largest Aboriginal event featuring up to 1,000 dancers and singers, the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, large market area, performing and visual arts and more, there is something for everyone at this Toronto festival.

Canadian Film Centre's Worldwide Short Film Festival in Toronto features the best Canadian and International short films as well as special screenings, retrospectives and galas. Every year, the festival attracts thousands of film makers and enthusiasts from Canada and abroad during the summer.

Canadian National Exhibition is the largest fair in North America with over 500 attractions, 700 exhibitors and 60 plus rides. Highlights include nightly fireworks, death-defying Skywalker, the Eukanuba Superdogs, international exhibits and shopping, agricultural exhibits, Kids' World, feature bands and entertainment, parades, Casino, a 3-day Air Show and much more.

Canadian National Sportsmen's Shows-Toronto Sportsmen's Show is the leading producer of outdoor related shows in Canada. Established as a unique philanthropic business to raise funds for conservation and outdoor education. The flagship show, the Toronto Sportsmen's Show was established by leading conservationists in 1948. The Toronto Sportsmen's Show is Canada's largest outdoor showcase for new products from retailers and manufactures.

Diwali, or the Festival of Lights as it is commonly referred to, is the largest festival in the South Asian community. Visit the Gerrard India Bazaar as it Celebrates Diwali between Coxwell and Greenwood to watch famous Bollywood films, participate in henna artistry, enjoy traditional sweets, buy new clothes or jewellry and, of course, enjoy great food.

The Toronto International Film Festival Group (TIFFG) is best-known for the world-famous Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) held every September since 1976. TIFFG also runs the Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children every spring, screens classic and avant-garde cinema year-round at Cinematheque Ontario, and is the home of the Film Reference Library, which houses the world's largest collection of English-language Canadian film material.
In June, Main Street hosts the 37th annual Unionville Village Festival for two days of family fun. Highlights include a parade on Saturday morning, fireworks over TooGood Pond on Saturday evening, along with a fun run, treasure hunt and a Main Street market on Sunday.

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition at Nathan Phillips Square is North America's largest and longest running outdoor art exhibition. Fourteen categories including painting, sculpture, glass, ceramics and students. Attendance averages 100,000 annually. Held the second weekend of July every year since 1961, it's free to the public!

Toronto Caribbean Carnival or Caribana is North America's biggest Caribbean-styled Carnival now in its 39th year! See a spectacular parade of more than 20 masquerade bands in the most competitive Carnival competition outside of Trinidad and Tobago!

At the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, you’ll find a unique Toronto festival tradition with signature classics like the Royal Agriculture and Royal Horse Shows. One million square feet of vibrant marketplaces with 300 plus vendors, restaurants like the Vintner’s Terrace and much more. Group and corporate programs are also available at this event.

A semi-annual event held each Spring and Christmas is the One of a Kind Show and Sale featuring hundreds of Canadian artists, designers and artisans selling their works jewellery, pottery, wood-work, glass, iron-work, clothing, visual art and more.